In preparation for our Pine Ridge Mission Trip, I have been reading the book "Neither Wolf Nor Dog," by Kent Nerburn. The book is a dialogue between a white man and an elder from the Pine Ridge Reservation. It is a fascinating dialogue that reveals some profound, and at times challenging, truths about Indian culture and white culture.Many things spoke to me in the book. Here's one quote about weaknesses. Speaking of the struggles with alcohol on the reservation, the elder (named Dan) said, "We are weak for alcohol. Just like white people are weak for owning things ... But those weaknesses are gifts, Nerburn. They are gifts, just like our strengths are gifts. Weaknesses make us strong, because they make us stand up to ourselves," (179).
Have you ever thought about weaknesses like that? As gifts?
This quote reminded me of a Scripture passage where Paul is talking about weaknesses. At a time when Paul was very weak, God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So Paul concluded, "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me," (2 Corinthians 12:9).
We all have weaknesses. Rather than view them as a curse, maybe we could view them as a gift. They provide us with an opportunity to grow, to develop discipline, to stand up to ourselves. More than that, they provide us with an opportunity to lean into God's power and experience God's transforming strength in our lives.
What weaknesses do you have? Do you have a weakness for food? For lust? For owning things? For alcohol? For worry? For ... I'm sure you can fill in the blank. Don't let these weaknesses discourage or defeat you. View them as a gift, as an opportunity. Stand up to yourself, and stand on the mighty, all-sufficient power of God. Amen!
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